Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates 20th edition, March 27 to April 17
Milestone season features expanded celebrations, new traditions, and citywide gatherings under pink canopies
SPONSORED POST BY Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival
Blossoms After Dark. Photo by Lung Liu
One iconic thing marks spring in Vancouver: cherry blossoms in full bloom. This year, they bloom with a special milestone. In 2026, the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival is celebrating its 20th annual festival, marking two decades of arts, culture, and community beneath the city’s iconic pink canopy.
Running from March 27 to April 17, this milestone season will be one of the most expansive in the festival’s history. Favourite events will once again invite residents and visitors to experience the ephemeral beauty of Vancouver’s cherry blossoms in parks and neighbourhoods across the city.
For the first time ever, The Big Picnic is expanding into a two-day celebration on March 28 and 29. Attendees can expect hands-on art workshops, live performances, and the inaugural Cherry Blossom Pet Parade at David Lam Park. Also new for 2026 is an expanded Blossom Block Party with Public Disco on April 4. Dunsmuir Street is becoming a car-free zone for the day, complementing the beloved dance floor and activities in Dunsmuir Plaza at Bentall Centre for a vibrant open-air celebration.
Blossom Block Party. Photo by Lung Liu
Blossoms After Dark—a magical promenade through illuminated cherry blossoms—is returning to David Lam Park on March 27 and 28, with performers, food trucks, interactive activities, a licensed lounge, and stunning photo opportunities. And the beloved Sakura Days Japan Fair is happening April 11 and 12 at VanDusen Botanical Garden; created in collaboration with Japan Fair Association of Vancouver, the cultural celebration features traditional performances, artwork, cultural activities, and delicious Japanese cuisine.
To honour 20 years of the signature Haiku Invitational, the festival is publishing the commemorative book Blossoms in the Breeze, featuring a collection of past winning poems and haiku by the judges. Other exciting festival firsts include the sold-out Blossom Run at David Lam Park on March 28, a Whitecaps FC Cherry Blossom Match on March 15 at BC Place, and a specially designed heel by Fluevog Shoes available for purchase.
Plus, to help reinvigorate the breathtaking blossoms, the Vancouver Park Board will be replanting eight trees at David Lam Park and one at Queen Elizabeth Park.
For more information about the festival and upcoming programs and events, visit vcbf.ca.
Post sponsored by Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival.
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